Major record labels/ Parent companies - Miss Georgioi

Major record labels - Are large companies within the music industry that may also own smaller record labels.

The music industry (or music business) sells compositions, recordings and performances of music. Among the many individuals and organizations that operate within the industry are the musicians who compose and perform the music; the companies and professionals who create and sell recorded music.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_record_label

• Who are the major labels in the UK currently?

Columbia Records
EMI records
Sony BMG
Warner music group

• Who do the labels manage?

Columbia records manage artists like; Collie Buddz, Marques Houston, Jagged Edge, Wyclef Jean, Kings of Leon and The Kinks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Columbia_Records_artists

EMI records manage artists like; Chingy, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Beverly Knight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_EMI_artists

Sony BMG manage artists like; Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Sony_BMG_artists

Warner music group manger artists like; Angels and Airwaves, Micheal Buble, Jason Derulo and Gym class heroes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Warner_Music_Group_artists

3) Do the major labels own smaller companies and which artists do they manage?

Owned by universal music group

· Def Jam Recordings (1985–1993)

Artists – Ne-yo, Justin Bieber, Jeremiah and Lady Gaga.

Owned by universal music group

· Loud Records (1999–2002)

Artists - Mobb Deep, Method Man and Tbeats.

Owned by Sony BMG

· The Work Group (1995–2000)

Artists - Fiona Apple, Diana King and Midnight Oil.

· Date Records

Artists - Oasis, Pitbull, Ricky Martin and R Kelly.

4) Are there any links within media e.g. TV/film/magazines etc.

Sony Music Entertainment –
· American Record Corporation
· Columbia/CBS Records
· Sony BMG
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Music_Entertainment)

Emi Group –
· EMI Films
· EMI Records
· EMI Televisa Music /Capitol Latin
· EMI Songbook Series
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI_Group)

Warner Music Group –
· Warner Bros. Records official site
· Warner Music Italy official site
· Warner Music Latina official site
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Music_Group)

1) Identify some of the independent labels in the UK and a brief history of each

INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS

Independents - Music labels that operate one or a few music labels. Independent labels can be just successful but operate from a smaller company base. They are traditionally known as offering more 'organic' music rather than manufactured mainstream.

1) Boy better know - Boy Better Know founded by Hassan based in Cannon, is often used in a slang terminology however it is more commonly known to have been established by grime artists Wiley and brothers, JME and Skepta. They are currently working on the debut album for the group as a whole. The first single from the album, Too Many Man (We Need Some More Girls in Here), was released on the 25th May 2009.^[3] The song is also featured on both Wiley and Skepta's albums, Race Against Time and Microphone Champion respectively. The song was written because of Skepta's annoyance over 'the lack of women in clubs'. It was played onChannel AKA, MTV Base, MTV Dance and BBC 1Xtra and entered the UK Singles Chart on 6 June 2009 at #97, reaching #79 the next week.^[4] The second single from the album V.I.P titled Goin' In was released for download on iTunes on 13 December 2009.

2) Artists -

Skepta

JME

Wiley

2) Red Girl records -Red Girl Records is a London, UK based independent record label founded by Melanie C, also known as Sporty Spice, after parting ways with her record label Virgin Records. All of Melanie's activities are decided upon and funded by herself, alongside her business partner and manager, Nancy Phillips.

Artists

Melanie C

3) Sons Ltd - The Soul of North Staffs or 'SONS' is an independent record label based in Stoke-on-Trent. The company was formed in 2004 by Neil Graham, Seb Clarke, Al Padmore, James Wakefield and Tangwyn Davies. The label consists solely of bands native to the North Staffordshire area and has become a noted figure both locally^[1] and nationally, having recently received attention from Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens (6music, BBC Radio 1) as well as Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Marconie (BBC Radio 2) SONS has earned comparisons to Factory Records for its DIY ethic and its unique 'SONS sound'.^[2]

^Artists

^{§ This Is Seb Clarke}

^{§ The Novellos}

^{§ The Title}

^{§ Tommy Turbo & The Turbervilles}

^{§ La Dies}

^{§ The Rough Charm}

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_independent_UK_record_label

History

Independent labels have a long history of signalling developments in popular music, stretching back to the post-war period in the United States.^[2] Disputes with major labels about publishing led to a proliferation of labels specializing in country, jazz, and blues. Sun Records played an important part in the development of Rock 'n' roll as well as country, with artists such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Charlie Rich.^[2] The independent labels usually aimed their releases at a small but devoted audience, not relying on mass sales for success, giving artists much more scope for experimentation and artistic freedom.

In the United Kingdom during the 1950s and 1960s, the major record companies EMI, Philips, and Decca had so much power that independent labels struggled to become established. Several British producers launched independent labels as outlets for their work including Joe Meek (Triumph), Andrew Oldham (Immediate), and Larry Page (Page One).^[2] Chrysalis Records, launched by Chris Wright and Terry Ellis, was perhaps the most successful from that era, and continued to expand. Several major rock stars set up their own independent labels - The Beatles with Apple Records, The Rolling Stones with Rolling Stones Records, and Elton John with Rocket, but they generally failed as commercial ventures or were swallowed up by the majors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label

1) Is it right to from a music point of view as well as an industry point view that 4 companies dominate the music industry?

I believe that it right that the 4 companies dominate the music industry, the reasons for this are that these 4 are the companies which manage the most amount of successful artists. From this they are the most successful and make the most money, therefore they ensure their place in the top 4 as they work hard and are successful. Most artists depend on these music companies and most would not have made it if it wasn't for the companies. However, some independent music labels have artists which have potential to be successful and should also be given the chance to show them.

2) What affect to you think this has on the industry?

The affect on the music industry is that it has become more competitive which means that the companies are constantly trying to out-do each other, giving the audience harder choices.

3) Are independent labels as successful as major labels, how do you judge this?

I believe that Independent labels are not as successful as major labels, I can judge this by the publicity in which they receive, The independent labels are rarely shown in the media industry.

4) Is there anything that independent labels offer the industry that the majors do not?

Major label advances are generally much larger than independent labels can offer. If an independent label is able to offer an advance, it will most like be somewhere in the range of $5,000-$125,000. On the other hand, major labels are able to offer artists advances in the range of $150,000-$300,000. Instead of offering an advance, some independent labels agree to pay for a certain amount of the artist's recording costs.

Some bands choose to never go to a major label even if they are given the opportunity to do so. Similarly, others may choose to be an independent artist after having already experienced recording on a major label, such as pianist Bradley Joseph. As an independent, business is a prime concern and can take over if not controlled, Joseph said. "A lot of musicians don't learn the business. You just have to be well-rounded in both areas. You have to understand publishing. You have to understand how you make money, what's in demand, and what helps you make the most out of your talent." But some artists just want to be involved in the music and don't like the added problems or have the personality to work with both. Joseph suggests newer artists read and study both courses and pick one that best suits their needs and wants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_music